SARAWAK GOF OPERATIONS NET OVER RM1.8 MILLION IN SEIZURES

KUCHING, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) carried out successful operations under Op Bersepadu Khazanah, Op Taring Libas, and Op Taring Awas/Batas, resulting in seizures valued at RM1.84 million.

Sarawak Brigade GOF deputy commander ACP Rosdi Inai said that on May 15, they raided a site in Sri Aman suspected of operating as a wood processing facility without a valid permit.

“A total of 451 logs of various sizes, three wood processing machines, and a wood storage facility with an estimated value of RM1,070,500 were confiscated during the raid,” he said in a statement here today.

Rosdi said that on the same day, the GOF raided a house in Kampung Tebedu, Serian, arresting a 59-year-old local man and successfully seizing 1,000 cartons of various types of white cigarettes with unpaid duties, estimated to be worth RM340,000.

On May 13, he said, the GOF, in collaboration with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, raided a house in Bau where a 42-year-old local woman was arrested and 15 birds and eight turtles of protected species, estimated to be worth RM112,885, were seized.

Rosdi said that on May 14, the GOF raided a premises in Kuching, arresting a 57-year-old local man and confiscating 36 birds and 40 protected turtles worth RM79,450.

He added that on the same day, a raid by the GOF at a house in Miri led to the arrest of a 74-year-old local man and the seizure of seven birds of various species, valued at RM27,800.

Meanwhile, in Sibu, Rosdi said, a 36-year-old local man was arrested and seven protected squirrels along with an iron cage worth RM15,000 were seized during a house raid.

On May 15, he said, a joint raid by the GOF and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation in Sri Aman resulted in the arrest of a 62-year-old local man suspected of keeping protected wildlife without a permit.

He added the inspection uncovered nine sambar deer antlers estimated to be worth RM9,000.

Rosdi said that during an operation at 6.20 pm yesterday in the Lundu area, the GOF intercepted a lorry suspected of carrying petrol without a permit, arrested a 57-year-old local man, and seized 133 barrels containing 1,330 litres of petrol.

He said all seized items had been handed over to the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (PUSAKA), the Serian district police headquarters, and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation for further action.

--BERNAMA